Instructional Systems Administrator II (HR Title: Systems Administrator II) – INF00000170 at Southern Methodist University

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Office of Information Technology – Academic Technology Services partners with faculty to advance technology in scholarship by being innovative and creative in making technology accessible, understandable and appealing to academic audiences and by providing guidance and resourcefulness in identifying and integrating technology solutions that meet teaching and research needs.  

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Instructional Systems Administrator II is responsible for the management and support of the campus Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas, and other instructional technologies. This role involves designing, streamlining, and delivering internal and external training curricula, providing high-level training and strategic support for Canvas and instructional technologies, and collaborating with academic units, OIT project managers, and external vendors. The Instructional Systems Administrator II will manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, contributing to the University's growth and success in utilizing LMS systems.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a system administrator and change agent for the utilization and growth of both the primary campus learning management system (Canvas) and for the support of other instructional technologies for the University.
• Provides high-level escalation support for Canvas and other instructional technology through various communication channels. Track, prioritize, and resolve technical issues using the STABLE ticket system. Work with supervisor on escalated issues that require top-level intervention. 
• Provides direct assistance to OIT academic team members, OIT integration team leads, SMU libraries, the Provost's office, and the Center for Teaching Excellence regarding Canvas utilization, problem resolution, testing, and optimization. Works directly with course developers and instructional designers to facilitate adoption of instructional technologies.
• Assists in writing and developing Canvas and other instructional technology procedures, documentation, and communications to assist users in navigating various features and resolving common issues. Assist with training and advising the IT Help Desk staff and maintain a knowledge base for common issues.
• Attends and facilitates information sessions, presentations, and faculty technology workshops to publicize and educate faculty members and students about instructional technology services and Canvas capabilities provided by SMU.  Schedules training sessions in conjunction with supervisor. 
• Performs analysis and testing of campus instructional technology and Canvas; drives fast bug-resolution and feature requests. Plans and supports upgrades as required with supervisor. 
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and instructional designers to address instructional technology needs. Participate in projects related to Canvas and instructional technology improvements and new feature implementations.
• Interfaces with external instructional technology vendors and agencies as they relate to sustaining and continually improving Canvas capabilities for faculty members, students and academic units. Continually researches emerging technologies and assesses their usefulness in education settings.
• Develops and implements processes and controls for the provision of end-user support and training related to instructional technology and Canvas.  
• Generates access and permissions to Online Program Management (OPM) users for the management of online degree programs and their courses.

Qualifications - External

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required. 

A minimum of three (3) years of work experience administrating a campus LMS system is required. Candidate with Canvas experience is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate ability to work with users, create training materials and develop guidelines, and facilitating workshops. Must also have the ability to work in a fast-paced, customer service-oriented environment. Candidate with experience in track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously for faculty and students is required. Candidate with experience with third-party integrations using LTI1.3 and OPMs is desired. Candidate must also demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot and communicate effectively with faculty, students, and staff.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. 

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Experience supporting a learning management system and knowledge of other instructional technologies such as Qualtrics and collaboration tools is required.

Physical and Environmental Demands: 

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Deadline date

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.